Della Mae Carmichael

April 23, 1932 - March 23, 2014

Mrs. Della Mae Carmichael was born in Oxford, NC on April 23, 1932, to the late James and Martha Hamme. Della was the third born of fourteen children. She entered into eternal rest on March 23, 2014 at INOVA Alexandria Hospital with her family by her side. She was preceded in death by her husband, Prentis Carmichael, her son, Kevin “Tony” Carmichael; and seven siblings: Jackie; Billy; Ida Belle; James, Jr; Peggy; Ralph; and Dorthea. Della gave her life to Christ and was baptized at an early age in North Carolina. She later moved to Alexandria, VA with her husband and joined Ebenezer Baptist Church in 1955, where she was a faithful member until her health prevented her from attending regularly. Della was joined in holy matrimony to Prentis Carmichael for 53 years. From this union they were blessed with four sons: Tyrone, Curtis, Leon, and Kevin “Tony” who were her pride and joy. Della loved children. She cheerfully served as the neighborhood babysitter for approximately 200 children for well over 50 years. She was an excellent cook as well. She had a great love for her family and demonstrated unselfish love to others. She will be remembered as a joyful, loving, compassionate, and generous person. Prentis and Della often opened their home to those in need of food, shelter, and love. Those who will forever cherish her memory are her children: Tyrone (Tan) of Accokeek, MD; Curtis (Brenda) of Upper Marlboro, MD; Leon of Alexandria, VA; two sisters: Lettie Smith of Tucson, AZ; Margaret Wooten of Washington, DC; one brother: Alan Hamme of Bronx, NY; eight grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law: Alice Hamme; two brothers in-law: Eddie Wooten and Eddie Green; countless nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. The family offers special thanks to Elaine Webb, Jannie Terry, and Pauline Terrell for their devotion to Della during her time of illness.